Electrical Problems
 

Ok so this is the first X5 I have bought its a few days old i shelled out $11k cash and already a bunch of problem and headaches (didn't buy the used car warranty :banghead: they offered).
Its a 2011 X5 35IX 3.0
Yesterday the check engine light went off and i read the code with a generic reader and it showed code P15FE no idea what it is. I cleared it took it for a spin about 10 miles all was good.
This morning I hop in start the car and the check engine and airbag were on and went away maybe 15 sec after car was started. I put it in reverse halfway down the driveway it kicks it back in neutral by itself, i head out though it was nothing 1 mile down the road every single light on the dash comes on tells me to pull over slowly. I pull over shut it off start it up again now everything is going crazy no speedometer, no gas needle, all dash lights are on the transmission light on, reduced power on you name it the dash had it on. So I made it home did a scan again same code P15FE. So i cleared the code again this time it came back on in about 1 mile and now all light are on again and the transmission is randomly kicking back in to neutral at any stops or red light i get to.
Any ideas where i should start looking. I did a sparkplug replace 2 days ago if that has anything to do with it. I used the factory set gap ones from bosch.

Update 1: more codes came up now P15FE, P1407, P1408, P110F, P0420 so im guessing whatever the cause is its tripping all these faults. Remote door lock unlock doesn't have the lights or beep sound.
Can a TPMS cause all this? A warning for low tire pressure was coming on everyday for the rear left tire(nail in it)?


Update 2: I had ordered the INPA cable so it got here today when i went to check out the car started it up only check engine light was on nothing else. Cleared the codes drove around for about good 45min perfect no lights nothing like nothing had happened. Id like to add that when this whole thing started happening there was light rain outside that day nothing major though.:dunno:

Did you scan more codes with the new INPA cable? If so what were they? TPMS won’t cause those faults. Your issue could be a bad sensor, a short, or a wiring harness.


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Obligatory: Good battery? Good alternator output voltage?

here are some pics of the errors/codes if someone know what they are. The battery is new not sure if its registered if anyone can provide an easy diy for that if its needed. the alternator is pushing out 14.8v - 15v sometime goes up to 15.1v and sometimes there are crazy spikes like a 14.1, 14.5, 14.8 and then its stable again with the values of 14.8-15
http://i66.tinypic.com/14t3bdc.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/ou06u0.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/2z8okt4.jpg

When my 08 did the exact same thing the alternator was going out. New alternator and problem went away. Just be advised, don't get a rebuilt from Autozone, they don't like to work!

would replacing the voltage regulator help i think thats cheaper to try before changing thw whole alt...

Did you use the EXACT OE/OEM replacement plugs??

People think they are upgrading w iridiums and whatnot and screw themselves.

Agree that batt or alt needs looking at..

yea i used the exact oem plugs got them off pelicanparts. ill try to get the alt tested asap

You could try, as that could be the issue since it's peaking so high.

are the pages and screen shots all SAME reading; SAME code reader; SAME everything??????????


Or a collection of a few days/weeks of your efforts?


More clarity in data presentation/description can assist in better quality suggestions...

yea same everything its just one day will scan again to see if any more errors show up. do you know what the codes mean by chance?

ok guys so now i know the problem 100% but i need the answer on where to start looking. so today its pouring rain outside and the second i turn the car on the whole dash lit up all lights are on so i know for sure water is causing it but i have no idea where to start looking. anybody?

Check behind both the taillights behind the removable trim panels.

Check to see if any of interior carpet is damp or wet.

Check behind the glove box.

Check down by the driver's feet behind the trim piece in front of the door.

Check the DDE box.

Check these places for water or signs of wetted components or areas.

Also check and clean out your sunroof drains.

found the water intrusion guys its passenger side in the back so ill see how its coming in and ill put silicone on it.
http://i63.tinypic.com/jq6hjl.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2ups036.jpg

"put silicone on it"


?????????????????????


Do you really think BMW builds cars that rely on a 'bead of silicone' to prevent water intrusion?

i saw this post https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ter-rains.html
i guess its a better solution then getting a short and a fried electrical component.

so it was good for a week and the nightmare is back again. im guessing the water intrusion is in the engine area now. when you drive around for a while after the engine gets hot enough some of the lights dissapear and the problem seems to go away.

No, BMW builds cars with kinked sunroof drains that cause water intrusion, lol

Can someone take a look at the video and tell me what to do its driving me crazy what the hell is the problem with this car, its only like this when raining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcBXkOQmosw